Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast. I’m Jonathan Gouthier a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington CT and host of the podcast. In this episode, I am joined by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to have a conversation about why the cross?

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• I think many of our listeners ask the question of why the cross? Couldn’t God handle sin any other way?
• How do we know it is God’s plan right from the beginning to send Jesus so that He might die for us?
• What must we do to receive God’s love?
• The cross isn’t the end of the story. Sometimes we stop there, but the story continues and has a happy ending, why should we rejoice in the cross?

The cross was necessary not because God delights in suffering, but because He delights in saving. It is the place where sin was defeated, love was proven, and hope was born.

If you’ve been listening to the Faith First Podcast for some time now, we thank you. And, if you are new, I ask you to hit the subscribe button below to be notified when our next episode will launch. Until the next episode launches, remember the cross was how God showed His love toward us faith first.

Hello, you’re listening to the Faith First Podcast and I’m Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. This episode is a message given by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr that hopefully will bring you a peace that passes all understanding.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Where our peace ultimately originates
• The difference between world peace and God’s peace
• How our peace is built into God’s presence
• Who sustains our peace in and through Christ

True peace, the kind that steadies the heart and calms the mind when the world around us is shaking, is only found in the presence of God. If this is your first time listening, we invite you to click the subscribe button below to be alerted to when a new episode launches. But until then, know that whatever you may be going through, you don’t have to fake peace, you just have to receive it faith first.

Welcome to the Faith First Podcast, I’m Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. In this episode, we’ll be listening to a message given by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr answering the all important question, Why the Cross? Let’s get ready…

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• The Cross intended purpose for humanity
• Why the necessity of the cross of Christ
• How does the Cross show God’s justice
• Could there have been another way than the cross

The cross was not just a historical necessity, but a divine choice. Scripture shows how it was God’s plan from the beginning to reveal His love, justice, and grace. If you’ve been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification of when the next episode is launched. Until then, remember that the cross is where God’s mercy flows, where His justice is fulfilled, and His grace abounds, faith first.

Hello and welcome to the Faith First Podcast where we bring you messages and conversations of just how to walk your faith out in this world. I’m Jonathan Gouthier a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington CT and in this episode, I sit down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr to talk about drawing near to the heart of God.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How can God be one of those longings that stir our hearts?
• What do we know about God’s desires?
• What does a life lived near the heart of God look like? You asked this specifically in the message. Let’s recap it.
• Why is it so important to draw near to God?

From the very beginning, God created us for relationship. We see it throughout the stories of the Bible His pursuit of His creation. Even today, God longs for intimacy with His people. He is not distant or cold. He is a Father waiting for His children to come close.

We try to provide some very practical ways to step out in your faith and we pray it is beneficial to you who are listening. If you are new to the Faith First Podcast, I ask you to hit the subscribe button to be notified when our next episode will launch. Until the next episode launches, God calls you to come closer to Him faith first.

Hello and welcome! I’m Jonathan Gouthier, a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut and host of the Faith First Podcast. Scripture tells us to draw near to God and He will draw near to you. The best place to be is near to the heart of God and that is the focus of a message given by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr, let’s listen in…

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why the heart of God desires relationship
• What does a life look like near the heart of God
• How our lives change by being near the heart of God
• What we must do to draw near to God

When we draw near to God, we start to reflect His heart. We forgive more easily, serve more freely, and love more sincerely. If you’ve been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification of when the next episode is launched. And until next time, take the next step toward God faith first.

Hello and welcome! I’m Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, CT. Today on the Faith First Podcast, I’m sitting down with our Lead Pastor Steve Darr and talking about finding our balance.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• How do we get out of balance in the first place?
• Isn’t serving for Jesus a good idea and listen to the word a great one? Why is balance important?
• How do we cultivate sacred rhythms in our lives?
• What does it take to be intentional about our service and our worship?

Jesus is calling us not just to do more, but to come closer. Not to just be productive, but to be present. Only through His strength can we be anchored in the word, active in love and always aware of who we become with Him.

If you are new to the Faith First Podcast, I ask you to hit the subscribe button to be notified when our next episode will launch. And until then, become more intentional in your service and devotion faith first.

Welcome, you are listening to the Faith First podcast produced by us here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. Hello, I’m Jonathan Gouthier, the host and a pastor here at First Church. Today’s episode is one of those sit-down conversations. I’m having with our lead pastor, Steven Darr, on the topic of identifying with Christ. Hey Steve, glad you could be with us today

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What is the identity of a believer?
• Those who follow Christ are called a new creation. If we are new, at one time, what were we?
• Why is holiness a characteristic of our new identity?
• What are the privileges and responsibilities of our new identity in Christ?

Our new identity is not something we earned, but it is a gift of grace. We are called to live out this identity daily, understanding that we are dead to sand and alive to God. As we grow in our faith, we will increasingly reflect the life of Christ in our words, our actions, and our relationships. Our identity in Christ is the foundation of our Christian walk.
We trust that the Faith First podcast provides you with some encouragement to walk out your faith first in the world. If this is your first time with us, be sure to hit the subscribe button below and be alerted when a new episode launches. Until next time, recognize that your identity is in Christ faith first.

Welcome to the Faith First Podcast, I’m Jonathan Gouthier, your host and a Pastor here at First Church in Torrington, Connecticut. In this episode, we hope to discover what it means to find our balance. So, let’s get ready to listen in on this message by our Lead Pastor Steve Darr.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• What it feels like to be off balance
• Why being off balance in our faith is detrimental
• How can we be active without being anxious
• What it takes to be intentionally present

When we are off-balance in our Christian walk between serving Jesus and being with Jesus, He gently reminds us of what is needed. Jesus doesn’t rebuke, He redirects our hearts. If you’ve been listening to the Faith First Podcast for a while, we thank you. If this is your first time, we invite you to click the subscribe button below. This will send you a notification of when the next episode is launched. As we conclude today, remember to remain in balance with service and the word faith first.